Volt egy szer egy Józsefvárosi Galéria (Kévés Stúdió Galéria, Budapest, 1999)

Introduction to the Gallery Once upon a time there was Józsefváros Gallery. That is in those times of anti-free expression. Art and artists were kept under strict control, the supposed and real interests of the party-state were defended with the means of state censorship. With my friend the painter Imre Bak, and with the help of Pál Bánszky, we started a nationwide movement for the creation of small galleries and made our first folders of colour-prints of drawings and paintings. We then had the idea of setting up a model gallery in Budapest, which could promote the new movement in every possible way. We found a suitable location in the quarter called Józsefváros, and asked painter János Fajó to use this setting for carrying out his ideas of which we had known for awhile. We obviously had no doubts about what Fajó represented, how he was demanding and obstinate, and we also knew that this attitude was not at all in line with the official cultural policy of the time. In fact, in the late 70s and in the early 80s, there was still a strong censorship, so it was clear that we would have problems with the authorities. And so it happened. But this did not keep Fajó from creating, within the heart of Józsefváros, a gallery that fully reflected the repertoire of western contemporary art galleries, and functioned as a centre of information on the latest developments of the world of art through the sale of books, catalogues and prints. He managed to surprise us as well as he created a forum for Hungarian and international art that was far more colourful, refined and comprehensive than we had expected. We were not surprised, however, when we saw him take the work exhibited in the gallery to international forums, markets and exchanges, presenting the fruit of his semi-legal activity to a wide public. A number of publications and studies show that the gallery became a key meeting point of artists, and this was not at all limited to Józsefváros but encompassed the whole country, and attracted a certain international interest as well. Vasarely, Max Bill, Finnish constructivists and others had their work exhibited there. This showed that Hungarian art could become an integral part of universal processes. In the gallery, György Kévés organised exhibitions of the work of such great personalities of contemporary architecture as Mario Botta, Holzbauer and Peichl, representatives of postmodern architecture, the new wave architecture of Chicago, and various Hungarian initiatives. But these achievements did not protect the gallery from the underhand attacks as a result of which it was eventually taken away by the state. Later on, with the political turnaround, the circumstances changed completely. Since then, Józsefváros has not had a gallery of similar merit, and the district is no longer characterised by the kind of artistic life that it used to generate. But now the opportunity has come. György Kévés and his studio are carrying out a major construction project, re-shaping the image of the district. Kévés has always had active contact with noted contemporary artists and architects. Lately, he had the idea of creating a suitable space in one of the Orczy buildings for a gallery that, under the title of Architecture and Art, would re-animate the once fruitful connections. Kévés Studio Gallery is intended to go back to the origins and revive the former intellectual climate. In the first exhibition, we will encounter many names known from Józsefváros Gallery: Bak and Fajó, Éva Bányász, Tamás Boros, the late Tibor Csiky, István Haraszty, Tamás Hencze, Ilona Keserű, Tamás Kovács, Ferenc Lantos, András Mengyán, István Nádler and János Szász. The work of the Hungarian architects Kévés and Iványi will be accompanied by that of Wilhelm Holzbauer, the architect who designed the skyscraper of Vienna, Gustav Peichl, the world-famous Austrian architect, and Mario Botta, the contemporary Swiss-Italian architect noted all over the world. The names speak for themselves and give some hints to the visitors among whom we will surely see familiar faces, many of whom will come from Józsefváros, and hopefully many others will soon join them. László Fábián László Fábián was bom in Zsennye in 1940. He is a writer and journalist, has published numerous books. Since his years at the university, he has had an active interest in contemporary art, he wrote monographs of such representatives of fine arts as János Fajó, Sándor Molnár and György Segesdi, the film director Lívia Gyarmathy, and published many articles on this topic. Along with György Kévés, he edited the first omnibus volume presenting the theories of postmodern architecture published in Hungarian. He is now editor of the periodical 'Életünk' ('Our Life'), published in Szombathely. Imre Bak (Budapest, 1939) Painter, professor of art, Munkácsy and Herder Prize-winner artist. Between 1958 and '63, student at the Budapest School of Fine Arts Faculty of Painting. From the 1970s to the early 80s, actively organised the work of Pest Workshop and Józsefváros Gallery. Between 1986-91, professor at the Hungarian School of Applied Arts. Since 1966 40 individual exhibitions and nearly 300 group exhibitions e.g. in Budapest, Tokaj, Vienna and, with Birkás, Kelemen and Nádler, at the Biannial of Venice. Éva Bányász (Pécs, 1939) Painter, designer. Graduated from the School of Art of Pécs in 1974 as ceramist. In 1979, participated in the work of Pest Workshop, Józsefváros Gallery. After 1982, makes drawings and sculptures using mixed techniques. Starts to paint in 1988. Regularly exhibits her work at the MADI exhibitions. Max Bill (Winterthur, 1908 - 1996) Swiss sculptor, painter, architect, politician, writer. School of Applied Arts, Zürich, 1924-27, Bauhaus, Dessau, 1927-29. Since 1929, architect, painter, graphic artist in Zürich. 1951-56 Director of School of Design, Ulm. Moved to Bem in 1956. Sole exhibitions: Dessau, 1928, then worldwide. Grand Prix at the Triennial of Milan (1936, 1951), Kandinsky-Prize (1949), Prize at the Sao Paolo Biennial (1951). Tamás Boros (Sátoraljaújhely, 1959) Pain­ter, graphic artist. Exhibits his work since 1974. A number of sole exhibitions in Hungary and abroad. Mario Botta (Mendrisio, Switzerl. 1943) Architect. Studies: 1964-69. Collaborator of Le Corbusier Office of Venice and Paris in 1965; 1969. Now works in Lugano. Since 1983, profes­sor at the École Polytech­nique Fédérale of Lausanne. His work has been exhibited all over the world. Major buildings: Administration & Commercial Building, Luga­no; André Malreaux House of Culture, Chambéry; new churches, chapels, Museum of Modem Artists, San Francisco. Tibor Csiky (Olaszliszka, 1932-Budapest, 1989) Sculptor. Studied at the faculty of mathematics of ELTE, 1950-53. Graduated in 1956 as professor of Hungarian literature; later, studied history at ELTE. Individual exhibition in Krakow in 1966. After 1968, regularly exhibited his work at the Sculpture Biennials of Pécs. Considered as the master of a whole generation of sculptors. (i Orosháza, 1937) Painter, s culptor, graphic artist, p ublisher, gallery organiser. ^ Munkácsy Prize-winner, prof a t the Hungarian School of / applied Arts. Graduated f rom the same as painter­­(j ecorator in 1961. Worked V /ith Lajos Kassák who d eeply influenced him, con­­s iders him to be his spiritual n riaster. Numerous exhibi­­t ions around the world and in 1 lungary, his work can be f ound in various Hungarian a nd foreign museums and p 'rivate collections. Friend­­s hip with two great European a rtists, Victor Vasarely and /lax Bill, whose work he h lelped disseminate in I lungary. Founder and c lirector of Józsefváros ( îallery, 1976-88. Founder a nd influential master of Pest \ Vorkshop and of the Free Art Sichools of Gönc, Encs and 5 Izerencs. I stván Haraszty (Budapest, 1934) Kinetic a rtist, sculptor, Munkácsy I'rize-winner. Studied engine fitting, 1951-53, then taught f he same, 1953-61. Student a it the Huber Dési Fine Art (Tlub, 1964-70. Started to rnake mobile sculptures in ] 967. Sculptures located in ptublic places in Győr, I Budapest, Székesfehérvár, «Seoul. Ordinary member of «Széchenyi Literature and Art ^Academy since 1993. Until ] 997, more than 160 exhibi­­t ions in Hungary and abroad. ^ Yorks in many public c Elections around the world. ] Tamás Hencze ( Szekszárd, 1938) Painter, £«raphic artist. Artist of Merit. Worked as decorator and ^jraphic artist, 1960-70. Indi­vidual and group exhibitions in Budapest, elsewhere in [Jungary and abroad, e.g. in I Berlin, Vienna, Innsbruck, "jTokyo. Exhibited his work at the 39 Biennial of Venice in [1980. Took part in the Art (Olympics of Seoul. His works (:an be found in many jnuseums and private collec­­t ions in Hungary and abroad. i Vilhelm Holzbauer (Salzburg, Austria 1930) Architect. Studied at the Academy of Fine Arts of ■Vienna. After 1964, works in [lis private studio in Vienna. ][n 1970, opened a studio in Amsterdam. Guest Professor • it the University of ] Vlanitoba, Winnipeg; Yale 1 University, New Haven, ( Connecticut; University of ] Illinois Chicago Circle, « School of Polytechnics, ( 3raz, Austria. Professor of ; irchitecture, Academy of j \pplied Arts, Vienna. Works exhibited worldwide. Major , works include the City Hall i md Opera of Amsterdam; [Faculty of Natural Science, I University of Salzburg, Austria; IBA Government ] Building, Berlin-Kreuzberg; ALRT stations, Vancouver, British Columbia. László Iványi i [Szeged, 1933) Architect, Yb\ Prize-winner. Studied at the University of Polytech­nics of Budapest, 1952-57. Attended the MÉSZ Masters' School, 1958-60. Worked at a state-owned architectural firm, 1957-89. After 1989, co-owner of Planart private architectural studio. Prof., Faculty of Public Construc­tion, BME; MÉSZ Masters' School. Various prizes, inch FIABCI Prize. Major buil­dings in Budapest: apartment building, Horváth Street; terrace houses, Tulipán and Bartha Streets; houses, Buda­keszi and Pagony Streets; Sugár Commercial Centre; Hotel Aquincum; Central European University; Office Building, Wesselényi Street. Other locations: Department Store, Szeged; Marketplace, Eger. Participated in many architectural competitions in Hungary and abroad. Ilona Keserű (Pécs, 1933) Painter, Munkácsy Prize-winner, Artist of Merit. Student of Ferenc Martyn in Pécs, 1958. Student of László Bencze and István Szőnyi, 1991. Professor, School of Fines Arts, Pécs. Founding prof, of Masters' School. From 1993, ordinary member of the Széchenyi Academy of Lite­rature and Art. Indiv. and group exhibitions, works in museums and private collec­tions in Hungary and abroad. György Kévés (Ősi, 1935) Architect, Ybl Prize-Winner. Studied at the University of Polytechnics of Budapest, 1954-59. Worked at state-owned architectural firms: Agroterv until 1983; ELITI, Iparterv for 22 years. From the 60s, intense private planning activity. Partner architect, wife: Éva Földvári. Prof, at the University of Polytechnics; MÉSZ Mas­ters' School; Guest Prof., Washington University, St. Louis, USA, 1991. Head of Kévés Architects Ltd. Assoc, architects: Éva Földvári, András Kovács, Tibor Bárdi. Many individual and group exhibitions, architectural competitions in Hungary and abroad. Major works: terrace houses, Meredek Str., Buda hills; apt. building, Sopron; Orczy Forum City Centre urban and architectural plan­ning, general contracting (FIABCI Prize). Tamás Kovács (Szeged, 1964) Advertise­ment graphic artist, typo­grapher. His works can be found in many public collections. Ferenc Lantos (Pécs, 1929) Painter, graphic artist, Munkácsy Prize­winner. School of Fine Arts, Budapest, 1964. Had 63 individual exhibitions, took part in many group exhibitions in Hungary and abroad. Associate of József­város Gallery until the late 70s. Mainly noted for his large enamel compositions on buildings. Works in private and public collections in Hungary and abroad. After 1994, prof, of painting, Faculty of Art, Janus Pannonius University of Science. András Mengyán (Békéscsaba, 1945) Painter, designer. Graduated from the Hungarian School of Applied Arts in 1968, later professor of the same for many years. Currently prof, and dir., Institute of Basic Formation, School of Applied Arts, Bergen, Norway. Founding member of Pest Workshop, 1974. After 1975, nine individual exhibitions in Budapest, Székesfehérvár, Ankara, Hovikodden. István Nádler (Visegrád, 1938) Painter, graphic artist, Munkácsy Prize-winner. Studied at the School of Fine Arts, Budapest, 1958-63. Took part in the foundation of Pest Workshop in 1974. Until 1978, paintings and sculp­tures of a geometrical style. After 1980, large gesture­­type creations. Exhibitions, in Budapest, Stuttgart, Essen, Paris, Kalgenfurt and at the 42nd Biennial of Venice. Gustav Peichl (Vienna, Austria, 1928) Architect. Since 1953, private studio in Vienna. After 1973, prof, at the Academy of Fine Arts, Vienna. After 1955, political caricaturist, ironist at Süd­deutsche Zeitung, Munich and at Die Presse, Vienna. Exhibitions in New York, Venice, Rome, Oslo, Paris. Prizes: Architectural Prize of the City of Vienna, 1969; Austrian National Prize for Architecture, 1971; Reynolds Memorial Prize, USA, 1975. After 1984, member of the Academy of Art of West Berlin. Major works: Austrian Pavilion, World Fair, New York; Austrian Pavilion, Montreal; Austrian Pavilion, Helsinki Industrial Fair, ORF Austrian televi­sion stations, other recent outstanding works. János Saxon- Szász (Tarpa, 1964) Painter, sculptor. University of Polytechnics, Budapest, 1988. After the mid-1980s, Participates in the work of Józsefváros Gallery and Pest Workshop. First individual exhibition in 1982 at Zrínyi Highschool, Nyíregyháza. Other exhibitions in Buda­pest and Nyíregyháza. Victor Vasarely (Pécs, 1908 - Paris, 1997) Painter, sculptor. Studied medicine at the private school of Artúr Volkmann and Sándor Botnyik. Moved to Paris in 1930. Individual exhibitions: Budapest, 1929- 33; Europe, South America after 1945. Major permanent exhibitions: Museum of Modem Art, New York; Musée St. Étienne, Paris; Albright Knox Gallery, Harvard; Tate Gallery, London; Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam; Buenos Aires, Montevideo, Sao Paolo, Brussels, Helsinki, Reykja­vik. Vasarely Museum opens in Pécs, Hungary in 1976.

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